Discontinued in 2004 due to controversy surrounding use of a food dye banned in some countries.
Coca-Cola Blak
Coffee- flavored soft drink failed after only 2 years in 2008; tried to split the difference in calories between diet and regular soda.
Mission Impossible – Ethan Hunt
In 1996, the mask scared children.
Crazy Eddie
In 1987, engaged in fraud, over-reported profits, inflated inventory, duped auditors, and had aggressive sales tactics.
Laser Gun Alarm Clock
In 2008, roommates will wake up and beat you until you can shoot straight.
WeWork
Four years after having the highest startup valuation in the country at $47 billion, WeWork filed for bankruptcy in 2023. The business model was vulnerable to softening of the office market. WeWork signed 10-20 year leases, most during the office market peak in 2018 and 2019, while allowing tenants to sign month-to-month leases. As of June 2023, WeWork was paying over $2.7 billion a year in rent and interest – more than 80% of its entire revenue, while was still burning $300 million of cash a quarter. Its total losses since founding in 2010 topped $16 billion, which included reckless spending such as buying a $63 million jet and investing in an artificial wave company.
Rainwater Tech
Failed SPAC IPO in 2023 led to its demise. They aspired to be the leader in the development of rainfall generation technology.
East India Company
Was the largest company in the world & accounted for half the world’s trade; recurring problems with finances led to it’s demise in 1874.
Midwest Express
In 2010, deteriorating safety record and financial difficulties led to eliminating 2X2 seating and gourmet meals
Enron
Enron’s downfall was caused by widespread accounting fraud, where executives used complex schemes and special purpose entities to hide billions in debt and inflate earnings, making the company appear more successful than it was. This deception led to its collapse in December 2001, the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history at the time, resulting in massive losses for employees and investors after the company had peaked at a $70B market cap. The scandal also led to the downfall of Enron’s auditor, Arthur Andersen, and spurred the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) to prevent similar corporate misconduct.